Luxim nets $12M for LIFI lighting tech

Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Luxim has closed a $12 million Series C round to expand market availability of its high-intensity solid-state plasma lighting technology, dubbed LIFI.

The funding came from existing investors. Luxim said it previously raised about $60 million from Sequoia Capital, Crosslink Capital, DAG Ventures and Worldview Technology Partners (see But... doesn't a superhero need arch enemies?).

Luxim developed a Tic-Tac-sized quartz bulb that contains gas plasma and metal hallides. The contents react to form an intense white light.

Luxim has said it wants to use the technology in street lights and stadiums. The company claims 30 percent energy savings, better light quality and smaller size when compared to LEDs. Luxim says the energy savings pay for the bulbs in two years, when compares to traditional streetlights.

The bulbs last about 30,000 hours, while incandescent bulbs last about 1,000 hours and compact fluorescent bulbs about 10,000 hours, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

In conjunction with the funding, Sequoia General Partner Michael Moritz has become chairman of the Luxim board of directors.